Jamaica has given the world numerous track and field stars. Chances are that a few of them have been molded by Stephen “Franno” Francis himself. In 1999, Francis founded the Maximising Velocity and Power (MVP) Track Club. Under his tutelage, several big names like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Asafa Powell, Shericka Jackson, and now Kishane Thompson as well, have all thrived. From a single glance at the icons he has created, it’s no surprise that many believe spotting talent is Francis’ calling card.
The legendary coach is notorious for reaching out to athletes that either don’t make it in the top 3, or for some reason, don’t get to compete. This pattern has been displayed quite often, most recently, with Kishane Thompson. But why does Francis do this? He believes in creating a champion rather than approaching one. He has previously clarified that he isn’t one to coach a ready-made athlete.
While it would be difficult to list out the amount of medals Francis has helped Jamaica win, it is glaringly obvious that his ability to create an Olympic champion is unmatched. Did you know Stephen Francis holds an MBA in finance from the University of Michigan and a BSC in management studies from the University of West Indies.
Would we have still seen Jamaica’s dominance on the track post’ the 90s? While we might never find the answer to that question. Let’s look for one we might have an answer to. Seeing how Kishane Thompson obliterated his competition at his season debut and secured a spot for the upcoming Summer Games, it makes us wonder: How did Stephen Francis do that?
Coach Francis’s preparation with Kishane Thompson for the Paris Olympics
When Kishane Thompson stepped on the track at the JAAA National Championships, he only had one goal on his mind – crossing the finishing line as an Olympian. The 22-year-old put that theory into motion by breezing past his competition in the 100m semi-finals with 9.82 seconds on the clock. He had made it through to the finals with a new personal best. But he still wasn’t done.
He blazed through to the finish line in the finals, taking up the top spot with 9.77 seconds on the clock. He ran 2 seconds faster than Ferdinand Omanyala, who set a world lead with 9.79 seconds. Thompson credits Francis for this win. “My coach instructed me just to run the first 60 metres, nothing more – after that, shut it down.” The legendary coach had to tweak his approach for the sprinter.
Thompson continues, “I am just listening to my coach because I have been hurt so many times and it is because of him why I am here right now.” At the National Championships last year, Kishane Thompson had clinched an easy win in the 100m heats with 9.91 seconds. Despite winning, he didn’t compete in the semi-finals, puzzling many of his fans. However, Francis explained that this was always the part of the plan. To ensure the sprinter didn’t injure himself, he decided that they would showcase his impressive talent in a controlled manner.
After his performance at this year’s championships, Francis believes that Thompson could easily surpass his personal best and clock in 9.6 effortlessly. In just 20 days, the Summer Games are set to take place at the French capital. If what Coach Francis says is true, will we watch Kishane Thompson set a new world record on the world’s biggest stage? We will just have to wait and watch, stay tuned!